Journal 3: Assessment Made Easy

Citation: Zucker, Andrew A. (June, July 2009). Assessment Made Easy. Learning and Leading with Technology, Retrieved July 20, 2009, from:
http://www.iste.org/current/Navigationmenu/publications/LL/current_Issue_L_June_july.htm

Summary
This article shows the astonishing results of students’ educational improvement through having a one-to-one Laptop program in the Denver school of Science and Technology. This public charter high school uses this program to provide a fast pace grading of students’ assignments and tests. This program is a good way to give the students instant results and feedback on their work which is considered an important part of the learning process. The school also uses assessment software to administer assessments including multiple choice questions to identify students’ weaknesses. Then, the teachers design new lessons and provide instruction and support to meet the students’ needs. Language arts teachers at this school also use one-to-one labtop programs to improve their teaching of writing. They believe that in this way the students can save more paper and time as well as have an opportunity to get instant feedback on their writing. It is a good way for students to receive both teacher explanation and editing simultaneously.

What other elements besides computers do the schools need to foster both academic and personal success for the students? Clearly, having computers are not the only components that can make improvements for students. The schools need thoughtful administrators, high-quality teachers, as well as an effective curriculum. If all of these elements are incorporated in the schools, the above goals will be met successfully.

Do you think that it is easy to have such a one-to one labtop program in schools? Definitely the answer is no. Having such programs in schools requires computers as well as the software installed on each laptop. It also needs professional development for teachers, an active e-mail system, technical support provided on sites, and a wide variety of related technologies, including computer probes for science labs and more than a dozen computer servers supporting wireless Internet networks, e-mail, voicemail, and other necessary factors such as financial support from district, state and school administrators.